April in Review: “Trying to be a Journalist”

March was all about new experiences because I started my first ever job.

April has been pretty much the same...

BUT April was more about feeling extremely out of my depth and feeling more incompetent than anything really.

Part One: “Why am I so useless?”

After working extremely hard at the Jazz Festival, we pretty much jumped into the new month by being assigned to spend two weeks in the newsroom and work on our writing skills.

If there was ever a time to be thrown into the deep end it was during this time.

With the Jazz fest I could at least take comfort in the fact that there were other people equally feeling out of their depth and having no clue what we were doing but we were all stuck in the same boat, doing the best we could.

The newsroom was nothing like that because I was on my own.

If there is a ever a time to feel useless and like you’re incompetent spend some time in a newsroom where you are a stranger at your desk trying to make yourself useful while trying to not be in the way of experienced reporters.

I was assigned to the newsroom of The Daily Voice when my Cape Mojo team started time in the newspapers started.

The Daily Voice often gets given this label as not being a hard hitting newspaper because they deal with stuff that comes across as silly and deemed not newsworthy. I am aware the publication is labelled as a "tabloid" but that doesn't mean that there isn't anything of importance and value in the paper that the hard hitting newspapers do. The only difference is the angles taken in their stories.

The Daily Voice go out on stories that people within the Cape Flats are interested in and also want to read about. If a newspaper is meant to connect with its target market and inform them about what’s happening in their areas then The Daily Voice is doing exactly what it should it.

It  was recently revealed in AMPS figures (which is a big fancy group that does a survey on readership) that in the second half of 2014, the Daily Voice readership grew from 468 000 daily readers to 516 000.

In climate where newspapers are battling against the internet, that is very impressive.

I can really say that I learned a lot about my time at the newspaper.

Newspapers don’t just appear every morning magically created for your consumption, in fact journalists go out the day before either on stories that they were assigned by their editor or, what is often the case, they go out on stories they’ve been informed about from contacts and people who shared the information with them.

They scout out information about their stories and then once they think there is enough they go out in search of what the true story is, from all the relevant sources.

A super funny reporter I sat opposite.

This can be quite a laborious process and sometimes things don’t always go your way but you do the best you can.

Part Two: “What to do when opportunity knocks?”

I had been shadowing the reporters for about a day when an opportunity for me to write my first article came up.

It wasn’t that a story was assigned to me or anything, it happened because I took a chance.

This is just my version of how I remembered it happening:

Journalist: 

“I still have to file both these stories when I get back to the office.”

Me:                       

(Nervously)

 “Uhm...I can help...uhm... if you want. I’ll write one and you can write another if you want?”

Photographer:

(Jokingly)

“Hey don’t come and try to steal food from [journalist’s] mouth, freelancers don’t a set salary like you. They get paid per article.”

Me:

“Oh sorry, of course I don’t mean to do that –laughs awkwardly- I just thought that I could help with the workload.”

Journalist: 

“We can share the byline.”

Photographer:

“Can you? Do you still get your normal rate?”

Journalist:

“I still get my normal rate whenever I share a byline with [another journalist] so it’s fine. Which one do you want to do?”

Me:

“I feel more confident doing the first story the first one we went out on so I can do that?”

Journalist:

“That’s fine. You can do the first then just send it to me when you’re done so I can have a look over it?”

Me:

“Thanks.”

And that was basically how it happened.

I took the chance of speaking up and saying,” I don’t mind helping; I can do it” and that was how I landed my first byline.

As soon as we got back to the office I had to write my article and while I had all my notes, I had no clue how I was going to do it.

Eventually I typed down what I had into a coherent sentence which then into paragraphs and it led to a completed story.

Part Three: “Who does the editing?”

Once done, I emailed what I had to the journalist and sat beside them as they make hectic revisions, learning about the newspaper’s style in the process:

1.       The fact that they prefer to have more quotes of what the people actually said instead of you telling the reader what they said. I quickly learned to write fast and take down what some said. I would come to use my phone as a recorder because that just helps you so much to get down what someone says verbatim.

2.       Framing the story in a particular way, meaning that instead of having one angle, you use another.

3.       Getting a comment from the official organisation/people to add in another side to the story.

4.       Making sure you have the correct spelling of things – Sidenote, this is vitally important you have to make sure you get someone’s name and surname spelt exactly correct, make sure you get where they are from and also their age.

5.       A journalist’s note taking skills have is where your credibility can live or die. If someone wants to sue you, you’re note taking could be the very thing that saves you.

The edit the journalist did helped a lot, and while my original story changed a lot to the one they sent to the editor my name still remained in the byline because I had contributed to the story.

I thought that what I had ended up contributing was a waste but the journalist thanked me because I helped save them a lot of time. So our article was then emailed to the editor.

Interesting to note that the article that appeared in paper had also undergone significant edits to it as well but there was also quite a large chunk of what we did and in the end we received our shared byline.

One that would be my first.

Part Four: “When? Now??”

Sure some see a solo byline as their first, but I see the shared one as my first because it taught me so much and helped me when I finally wrote my first solo byline which funny enough came the following week.

I arrived early in the office because it was just something I did. I could have arrived late because everyone only got into the office between 09:20 and 11:00. I was in by 08:40 so I just read the papers and tried be aware of what was happening.

One this particular morning, a photographer came in and he was about 5 minutes in the office when 

he came up to me and said.

Photographer:

“I heard Tony Yengeni was making an appearance in the magistrate court today and no other journalist is in. I’m not sure if it’s something the paper would be interested in but I say we take a chance and go? If we wait too long then the story could be over already, it could be over already, but at least let’s go see.”

Me:

“Uhm, okay.”

Now while that response seems calm, my mind was racing at a mile a minute.

I had no clue what I was doing, no clue of what I was going to do when I got at the court and no clue of how I would get the story but adrenalin and nerves were rushing through my body so I just went along.

As we made our way to the magistrate court, the photographer was giving me a crash course in court reporting:

1.       Make sure you nod to the judge as you enter. This is very important.

2.       Sometimes things might be confusing if you’re arriving late so don’t be scared to ask fellow journalists what is happening.

3.       Put your phone off or keep it on silent because you can be in deep shit if they catch you recording anything.

4.       All the information is in the court, you just need to know the correct places to go find it.

And he explained more stuff which I have forgotten because I was like “oh my fuck, this is happening.”

So we get to the court and then he says well go for it.

I’m like “oh okay, shit.”

I then rush inside only to see “oh damn I had to hand in everything” so I dash back drop my bag and only keep my wallet, phone, pen and notebook on me as I have to dash to courtroom 16 –which we learned from another journalist outside.

I got in and as the security guard is patting me down, and he feels a tag (which I forgot to take off). I explain it’s my UCT tag and then he starts a chat about the fact that I went to UCT. It was great but his timing sucked.

I got inside and then I had to find my way.

I turned down a passage and then got the vibe I was going the wrong way, I turned back and stopped at a security desk asking which way I had to go to get to the Tony Yengeni court case. She directed me down the alley, and as I enter I see a throng of people coming my way surrounding someone.

I had no clue what Tony Yengeni looked like, well in my subconscious I probably did but in my conscious mind I had no clue. I turned back and followed the people because my gut was all go with them.

I exited the court with all the journalists and I was about to follow the man who I thought to be Mr Yengeni but the reporters were by his lawyer so I just stuck with them.

I knew there was no way I was going to catch all the information as quickly so I immediately did the only thing I could think to do and just pulled out my phone started recording everything.

The fact that I did that earned me my first solo byline.

The other reporters asked questions and I made sure to catch everything while I was totally confused because they were using lawyer terminology I just recorded everything.

The lawyer finished and I had no clue what his name was so I asked one of the other reporters who told me his name and that was it.

In 10 minutes everything was done.

The photographer took his picture and so we just went back to the office.

My editor hadn’t been in for two days and I now had a story with which I had no clue what to do with. The editor of the paper was in and so I summoned the courage to make myself known to him and tell him what I had.

He said okay and that I should write him a short piece on it.

I then got down to listening to the recording transcribing everything while opening a million tabs on Google Chrome so I could research more about the story (something which would have helped had I had the time to do it before hand but I didn’t).

After that I remembered, I had no clue what the editor meant by “short piece” so after I asked him he said 200-220 words.

After that I got to it and finished my story within an hour and 15 minutes making sure I had everything I needed. Understanding everything that the lawyer spoke and getting input from another journalist to frame the article in an interesting way.

That was it.

My story got filed and appeared in the paper.

All because I happened to be in the office early and was the only one there that by pure coincidence I managed to land my first solo byline.

Part 5: “Where am I now?”

The rest of my time at the paper had my shadowing reporters and even writing two other articles when the opportunities presented themselves.

It was a great experience and taught me so much. I had made a few mistakes and made sure to learn from them, but it was a experience that forced me to go out of my comfort zone.

If there has been anything that this month has taught me it’s that I have to embrace the awkward moments.

My job is filled with them- attending the funeral of someone I never knew or met, asking strangers questions and for their names and ages, getting into awkward places (like kneeling in front of people to hold a microphone, and sometimes that people may be the Mayor of Cape Town) and many other awkward instances that will continued to happen.

My only next thing to learn is to not give a shit about them.

That doesn’t mean I won’t be respectful and treat some situations carefully, but I just need to focus on doing my job.

I am only two months into being a journalist and it’s been like climbing a Kilimanjaro without any preparation, but that aside, everything I have been doing is preparing me to become better equip to be not just a journalist but a good one too.

If I’m being honest, I feel like I could have done more while I spent time at the news papers. As I look back at the time I’m still not entirely sure how I could’ve done that, but I feel like I could have done more.

I also feel like I need to rediscover how to be curious.

I used to be a very curious kid and want to know what was happening but I was raised that being nosy about other people’s business was wrong. Now I feel like I have found the curious person again, he is still there because I still feel glimpses of him peeking through whenever something exciting happens.

I just need to allow him to come out more. (Yes, I’m speaking about aspects of myself in third person, it happens)

As a journalist, a skill you need is to be able to ask the right questions.

An important lesson I learned at University and The Daily Voice is that you need to remember your 5W’s and H:

1.       Why?

2.       What?

3.       Who?

4.       When?

5.       Where?

6.       How?

These will do really help and they exist for a reason*. Sometimes sticking to these will lead you to a story that could give you the edge.

Part 6:  How to Mojo...

After finishing my time at the papers, I rejoined the Mojo (Mobile Journalism) group of the company and it was more difficult that it needed to be.

I would pop in and check in on my fellow colleagues while we spent time at the paper but someone our two weeks apart had left us feeling disjointed.

Maybe it was the fact that we had just clicked with each other when we had so many other people join us for jazz fest and we had to learn how to work with strangers and not get so much time together with each other; then we had two weeks apart which just left us to do our own thing but either way, coming together again felt weird and we were out of sync with each other.

A week has passed and I feel like we’re good again. We are getting back to where we were with each other and getting familiar with one another again but such is life, sometimes things can take a while.

A video I helped put together...

The fact that we were out of sync with each other made me feel a bit weird and uncomfortable too but sometimes you just have to have a word with yourself in the mirror and “pull yourself towards yourself”.

I am excited for what the next few months hold ahead for us.

If the past two months are indicative of anything it is that expect the unexpected and that life will had you unexpected moments that lead to wonderful experiences so don’t be scared to step out of your comfort zone because that is really where the magic happens.

Now if only I could remember that...

Theo. Over and Out.

*PS  - The order is wrong on that but on purpose because I wanted it to match the sections of the blog post. (><)

Also in case you are wondering since I removed the journalist’s name from the byline in the pic, I am very grateful to the journalist because the person is really so so lovely, but I removed it because of the story that I explained from my perspective. 

The Lion Tunes #4

Welcome to another edition of The Lion’s Tunes.

At the suggestion of a close friend, I decided to put my love of music to good use.

She pointed out to me that since I love music and listen to so much of it, I should share what songs I’m currently jamming to.

If I can sum up this week’s collection of music it would have to be sensual, sexy and basically if you had to analyse what all of these says about me, it would be that I need to get some.

If you follow me on twitter then you’d know I usually tweet about what music has got me all caught up and catching feelings.

I’m by no means a music expert and I won’t pretend to be. Most of what will be written here is information I’ve learned on the net and just my personal opinions on the songs. So have at it...

·         Song: Wilderness

Artist: Nick Jonas

Album:

Description:

Let’s be serious about life, we all knew that Nick Jonas was going to be the most successful Jonas Brother. He always had that “It” factor. He has been making a lot of waves recently with his new RnB sound and I must say, this sexy hot white guy got soul. Like Robin Thicke (the early 2000s version) and Justin Timberlake before him, Nick has proven that when you got it, you got it.

Also it does help that he has this relaunch of his brand where he showed us how much of a “big boy” he was with his photoshoot and the tribute to those Marky-Mark (Mark Wahlberg) photos.

Sidenote: He also proved he is quite the triple threat in his TV show “Kingdom” (which each and everyone should be watching because it’s a damn superb show about MMA fighting)

His songs “Jealous” and “Chains” have showed just how grown up and talented he truly is. Mentioning that he was inspired by his relationship with former Miss Universe winner Olivia Copeland, you can see that his music has only benefited from the relationship so good on him. I am truly excited for wherever Nick Jonas goes next if this new sound of his is the direction he continues in.

·         Song:  Do Not Disturb

Artist: Teyana Taylor ft Chris Brown

Description:

Apparently I need to get laid if my first two songs selections are indicative of anything but I digress.

I love this song, sure it does give off the “sex background” music vibe but it’s a damn good song. Good RnB can make you fall in love with sex songs and just not care about what you’re singing because it’s just so good. This song by newcomer Teyana Taylor is such a song, and again while Chris Brown may be ubiquitous in terms of pop music these days – largely due to his probation that kept him Los Angeles bound, he does add to the song instead of detracting from it. It’s so good and sensual.  You’ll be singing “please don’t disturb” and you wouldn’t want to be either when listening to this great song.

·         Song: When It’s Alright

Artist: Juun ft Sam Smith

Description:

I expected something with heavy vocals from Sam Smith when I heard about this song, and so I was disappointed when I heard the song because it wasn’t the soaring Sam Smith vocals Ii expected but the song is still great.

I still can’t decide if it is Sam Smith singing or he just supports vocals for the “I give my life to you” because if it his then I’m impressed – he certainly has a different dimension to his voice. The song is still a great dance song. It has that retro vibe to it, I feel like the song would be a hit in Galaxy (which is a local club where lots of people enjoy the old school soulful music vibes).

·         Song: Electric Love

Artist: Børns

EP: Candy

Description:

If Mikky Ekko and Mika had a child together then Børns would be it - which is impossible since they are both dudes but granted they seem like the type to be the first to achieve such a thing. Børns (also spelled Borns) is an unusual artist but his music works. His originality is very apparent and it makes him the better for it. His song “Electric Love” has a bit of that 80’s feel to it but so cool.

Additional Mention: Borns – 1000 Emerald Pools

·         Song: All of You

Artist: Betty Who

Description:

I first heard of Betty Who when a lovely guy on twitter (@HeyRynhardt) introduced me to her. He told I should go give her song “Better” a listen, and I did so with an open mind. It was slow and emotional but so very cool. It speaks to having that person who just makes your day better after you feel particularly shit.

The song “All of You” speaks to that theme of love but does it in an opposite way to “Better”. I love how much more upbeat the song is and it’s just a great song. I thoroughly enjoyed the music video and it quickly had me singing along to the song so if you got the time go give some Youtubing.

·         Song: Hey Mama

Artist:  David Guetta & Afrojack ft. Nicki Minaj

Album: Listen

Description:

I heard this song when I was on Instagram and Nicki Minaj instagrammed a bit of it. I went in search of the full thing it is truly great. I don’t usually include a lot of commercial EDM music on here but that is because the radio stations tend to murder them to death, but this song hasn’t been picked up yet as much. I really like it so don’t be scared to give it a listen.

I think it’s pretty cool that two big EDMs got together for this track – of course it doesn’t hurt that Rap slayer Nicki Minaj does her thing on the track, just adding to it.

The Covers, the Remixes and the Oldies:

There might not always be this section within future posts but I thought I would add it in this one nonetheless. These songs aren’t new (and may or may not exactly be well known) but yet are still banging. I also decided to add in a few covers as well that I have loved.

·         Song: 'Little Jinder - Youth Blood'

Artist: 12th Planet and Flinch Remix

Description:

I heard this song when I colleague suggested it. We were busy working and to help us I decided Youtubing some background music would be fun. I played everyone some of the tracks I been jamming the others did the same (of course there had to be that one person who threw in a 80’s track because they think those were the glory days of music) but then another gave this song. I really enjoyed it which is why you are now reading about it now.

·         Song: Drunk in Love

Artist: Katy B (Rinse Sessions X Metropolis)

Description:

I had no clue what to think when I heard that British singer Katy B did a cover of Drunk in Love by Beyonce... and if im being honest, I love it more than Queen B’s version (just don’t tell the Bey Agency I said that).

It’s slower and sultrier, adding some soul to a pop song. In some ways she made the song more sensual, like background sex music that just makes you want to thrust in rhythm or  if you’re in a club grinding sensually up against something (or someone);  which if you knew me, you’d know how funny that sentence is coming from me –but I digress.

It’s a great cover and I like it.

·         Song:  Sugar

Artist: Marron 5 ft Nicki Minaj

Description:

Was this remix of the song featuring Nicki Minaj really necessary? Probably not. Will it change your life hearing it? Probably Not. Is it different enough that you’ll enjoy, but still similar enough to have the same spunk of the original? ABSO-FRIKKEN-LUTELY.

I really like what Nicki Minaj adds. I thought their collab would be something less of a tag on but it’s not, and I really don’t mind. Nicki does her thing while Adam and the boys do their thing and it’s a lovely version nonetheless.

·         Song: Chandelier - Acoustic

Artist: Sia

Description:

Listen, it’s pretty obvious that Sia has one heck of a voice on her, but you truly can just not realise the full power and talent this woman has because of the nature of pop music to dull even the most talented of voices.

Please do yourself a favour and give a listen to the piano cover of Chandelier that Sia did. It is on Youtube if you need to find it because my goodness. I got goosebumps listening to her. You become soo spellbound and entranced by all the little idiosyncracies her voice has. She doesn’t hold back and you truly hear how talented she is with the piano there to show you the keys but her voice telling you the story.

Additional Mention: “Titanium”

The versions of Titanium that are online vary in video quality because she performed them at intimate events but my good, if there is anything consistent in the videos it is that Sia’s voice is no joke. She takes the monster banger she did with David Guetta that had everyone singing along to, and schools you in how to truly sing it.

·         Song: No Angels

Artist: Bastille ft Ella Eyre

Description:

“No Angels” is a cover of TLC’s “Scrubs”.

There should be no way that this cover works, really but it does and it made me love Bastille all the more for it. Dan’s voice on the song just works so well. Also it did make me hope that he was gay because he sings it so convincingly that it made me feel like I would stand a chance to be better than the fictional Scrub he sings about.

Did that make sense? I might have gone on a tangent there. Oh well.

The song works so well too because there are so big changes done to the song. Adding in bits of movie lines from “Psycho” and the use of singer Ella Eyre on the song just adds to it and give it that Bastille flavour. They reinvent the song while still honouring the original and its message.

Additional Mention: Brit Award.

At the 2014 Brit Awards Bastille, Rudimentals and Ella Eyre ended up doing a mash-up of Pompeii and Waiting All Night. I came across it when randomly Youtubing and boy do I wish I was there. It was such a great mash up, and also you need to see the video for Dan’s dancing.

·         Song: Home

Artist: Daughter

Description:

I heard this song on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy early last year (yes, I like Grey’s Anatomy), and it was during a very emotional part (which is like every 5 seconds in that show) but the song just connected with me and so I hunted for it.

I am so glad I found it because it is a truly wonderful song. It introduced me to who Daughter is, and I grew to really like her music. There is something truly haunting about it and it just work so well.

“I was drunk again, causing accidents.

Oh you’re not a friend, no you’re nothing.

I think I should be a little more confident

In myself,

In my skin.

Take me, take me... Home... home.”

Additional Mention: “Get Lucky”

If you have not heard her cover of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” then I can’t even with you :P.

She gives the upbeat song her own spin and it’s just as great as the original. I love it.

And that’s it folks.

I’m aware that the tunes aren’t exactly big club dance tracks but I’m proud of myself for those I managed to find and include. I promise to keep an ear out for anything else.

If you have any suggestions don’t be scared to let me know in the comments below.

All tracks are available on iTunes. I think.

Theo. Over and Out.

March In Review: A Whole New World

I have always believed that you experience certain phases for a time and then you move on to the next big thing.

Life happens in such a way that you have primary school, then high school (if you don’t drop out) followed by university (if you can afford it) and finally you start working.

I have started the work phase of my life, and it’s been an interesting time for me.

Previously I’ve been asked if I ever miss school/varsity now that I’m working and honestly I don’t – but only because of being the type of person I am.

I make the best of my time in the certain phases of my life then when the time comes to move on, I do.

I was never saddened to matriculate because I did the numerous school plays, was a prefect and enjoyed all the high school moments (the highs and lows). With university, I was so happy when I graduated because it was a huge achievement for me.

I wouldn’t have mind doing Honours sure, but the finances weren’t there so I had to move on from UCT and if I’m being honest, I am glad that I did.

If you had asked me this in February then my answer would have been very different because unemployment fatigue was setting in, but now however, I love where I am at.

Where may that be you ask?

Being a responsible and working adult for the first time in my life.

In one of my previous posts – Being the Poor Friend – I explained why I had never had a job before. Now since I’ve had time to settle in at work and learn what being a working adult means, I realised that I am glad I never worked before because I wouldn’t have handled the responsibility well.

With everything happening in my life previously, I would’ve had a breakdown.

It took for me learn about myself and then endure the hardships of figuring out I’m not straight (with all of that baggage) for me to finally be where I am today.

I was a very gentle kid growing up who would cry for everything, so life needed to toughen me up. Sure I still have some way to go but I happy with my progress, I’m not as fragile as what I once was.

Anyway, back to the point of this – working.

Work is really hard guys, and sooo exhausting... but mostly it’s really rewarding.

When I got the news that I was accepted into the internship programme at Independent Media, my whole attitude towards it was that I want to learn as much as I can. If the 6 months of my internship comes and they happen to let me go, I know that I will have received everything out of the experience that I wanted.

I know this already because the first month of work has already taught me so much.

I won’t lie, I’m a little worried that things at work will go pear shaped but that is because I’m neurotic. Oddly enough it is not the big dramas that freak me out, rather the small little things that trip me up.

I feel like I’m not smart enough or hard working enough but I know that that is just my self-doubt talking.

I need to remind myself to stay calm and get out of my own way.

This past month has been filled with lots of laughs, getting to meet and interview new people and having some of the best experiences in my life so far:

-          Working on the 16^th Cape Town International Jazz Festival was amazing and getting to spend some time with kickass people.

-          The late nights where literally the only thing keeping you going was the energy of those around you.

-          Learning about the media industry and that there are long painstaking hours that go into producing a newspaper has been eye opening.

-          How to write articles, because they aren’t the same thing as essays.

-          Operating new equipment and what works best for different mediums.

-          The hot photographers that you see and on occasion want to do the dirty with. (That one blonde haired beauty from EWN though!!! I would marry him.)

-          The really cool people I get to work with in my team who are starting to feel like a second family.

Mojo so strong, you'll fall under our spell.

All of the above have been really invaluable experiences so far and I have loved it.

Sure there have been a few low points but that comes with everything in life – sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down. You just have to keep rolling with the punches.

I have no clue where this journey I’m currently on will take me but I’m eager to find out.

Can I also just say that I’m damn proud of myself  of surviving through March because finances were tight and my phone was fucking out so I had no contact with my friends compared to what I usually do. I didn’t have them to keep me motivated all the time. I really really missed them, but I also know that I can count of myself too...

I made myself a list of goals in January that I needed to achieve before the end of this year and I will share them with you now (don’t judge):

1.       Employment

2.       Bank Account (one that lasted and that doesn’t get closed because of no money being put into it)

3.       Drivers Licence

4.       Passport

Those are 4 goals, two of which I have already crossed off.

They seem very silly to me now but when I wrote that at the start of this year, they meant something. The reason why there were only four was because I thought it would take me forever to cross off the first one.

I seriously doubted that I would achieve them.

The next thing on my list is my driver’s licence which I’m daunted by (read: shit scared and pissing my pants) but before the end of this year I will accomplish it.

2015 has surprised me in many ways, and I look forward to what else it has in store for me.

Who knows maybe I may finally get to say that I’ve finally been on an airplane before the end of it? Or even find myself a fiancée? 

Theo. Over and Out. 

PS – I’m half joking about the fiancée thing; I am very much want to be about letting love happen naturally (well as naturally as what my personality will allow). For now I am focusing on myself and work at the moment, but I can only keep the hopeless romantic in me within his cage for 80% of the time. 

The Jazz Fest - POWER TO MOJO

So not even a month into my work experience, and the Mojo team (mobile journalists) were assigned the task of covering a huge event – The Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

It all started with the arrival of strangers from Durban and Joburg in our tinny little room, who would go on to be really awesome people who I learned a lot from and shared one of the most exciting experiences of my life with.

There was the fun times at the hotel (man that buffet breakfast was life)

Then there was the work of covering the events...

 

My awkward dancing at Beatenberg...(Don't judge)

My favourite performance (though I am biased because I'm a fan)

Then the fun times of just messing around together...

All kidding aside there were a plethora of moments when we were working really hard. If you want to see exactly how hard we worked, then visit our website www.mojojazz.iol.co.za or our twitter @mojoIOL.

All the blood sweat and tears that went into accomplishing everything we did was worth it because it was really a huge learning experience that forced a group of strangers to work together and, in my opinion, we crossed the finish line better for it.

 Power to Mojo.

Theo. Over and Out.